Hike Description:

From the northeast end of the parking area, near the directory, follow the road for about 40 feet, then turn right onto a footpath heading downhill. Continue straight ahead where the trail joins a road which comes in from the right. Keep to the right at the clearing, where the gravel road climbs a little and then parallels Blue Mountain Lake, below it on the left. In about an mile, you will come to a junction where the trail splits (the arrows on the brown wand point in both directions). Turn right here and head uphill until you reach a T-intersection.

Turn left at this intersection and follow the road downhill, then steadily uphill. You will be passing through an oak, birch and maple forest, with an understory of mountain laurel and blueberry bushes. After the trail levels off and then descends slightly, you will pass a swamp. The road then swings to the left and reaches another T-intersection. Turn left again, and then make the next right onto a path that leads to Hemlock Pond, whose entire shoreline is dominated by evergreens. This is a good place to stop and take a break.

Return to the main trail and turn right, continuing up and then downhill to a junction. Turn right at the junction, and continue for about 300 feet to the dam of Hemlock Pond, which offers another view of the pond. Retrace your steps to the main trail, turn right, and continue for about a mile through an area dominated with young black birch trees, with a wall of boulders on your left. After passing a lane on the right, you will arrive at a fork in the road. Turn right here and, in about 300 feet, turn right onto a footpath that leads up to slabs of glacially polished bedrock. Continue across this rock to an excellent viewpoint, with stunted pitch pines. This rocky outlook, known as Indian Rocks, offers views over the Delaware River valley and the Pocono plateau in Pennsylvania.

After savoring this view, return to the fork in the road, bear right, then immediately turn left and descend on a side trail. When you reach the bottom, turn right and follow an old road past the remains of former residences (the houses in this former residential community were demolished when the federal government acquired the property for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) and along two lakes (the first one is dry, having been drained by the park in 1995). After about a mile, you will come to a junction with a footpath, near where you began the hike. Turn right onto the footpath, and continue to the parking area.

Blue Mountain Lake, Hemlock Pond via Woods Roads

This loop hike circles Blue Mountain Lake, passes scenic Hemlock Pond, and climbs to a rocky viewpoint over the Poconos, following old roads for most of the way.

41.098121, -74.934649

From the northeast end of the parking area, near the directory, follow the road for about 40 feet, then turn right onto a footpath heading downhill. Continue straight ahead where the trail joins a road which comes in from the right. Keep to the right at the clearing, where the gravel road climbs a little and then parallels Blue Mountain Lake, below it on the left. In about an mile, you will...

Hike Checklist:

Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.

The Essentials

Hiking Shoes or Boots

Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.

Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.

Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.

Sunscreen and insect repellent

Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.

Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.

Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.

First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.

Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.

Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.

Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.

Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)

Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.

Let's Go

Directions to Trailhead :

Take Interstate Route 80 west to the last exit in New Jersey (just before reaching the bridge over the Delaware River). Continue north on Old Mine Road, which parallels the Delaware River, for about 10 miles, until you reach Millbrook Village. Bear left at Millbrook Village, and continue 1.5 miles north to a large white house (where snacks and refreshments may be available). Turn right at this house, following the sign to Blue Mountain Lake, and continue for 1.3 miles to the parking area on the left.